The day is observed across the world every year since 1886, commemorating the supreme sacrifices of workers in the United States to establish the rights of eight-hour working day and with renewed pledge to uphold the rights of working class.
By Alam Hossain *
May Day is being observed in Bangladesh this year in the backdrop of insecurity of workers’ life, no minimum wage, lots of incidents of violation of workers’ rights, job insecurity generally and a big number of jobless. The theme of this year’s May Day is “Worker-Owner Amity: Development through Production”.
Renowned politician and labour leader Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar told the crowd: “I think May Day has been written again in red colour in Bangladesh with the bloodshed of the workers in the Savar tragedy. I believe, workers and trade unions should come forward with the issue of workers’ security on this May Day”
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal leader Md. Zafrul Hasan said, “On this May day we all should take an oath to fight for a secure workplace today.”
Different political and labour organisations, particularly the labour wings of political parties, professional bodies and cultural organisations arranged elaborate programmes to mark the day.
*Alam Hossain is a student at the Journalism Department of Stamford University of Bangladesh.
